Non Destructive Evaluation Validation Center
Manager: Frank Jalinoos (frank.jalinoos@dot.gov)
Overview
The purpose of the Non Destructive
Evaluation Validation Center (NDEVC) is to research, evaluate, and validate
the performance of existing and improved nondestructive techniques for
in-service highway bridge inspections and safety evaluations. Although numerous
nondestructive inspection devices are available for bridges, bridge-owning
agencies require an independent source of evaluation data on the proper use,
application, and performance of such devices. NDEVC is the only facility in the
world that has the capability of providing this required, independently
evaluated data to bridge-owning agencies.
NDEVC performs evaluations to determine the reliability of new inspection
techniques by considering the environmental, procedural, and human factors
influences associated with bridge inspection. NDEVC is also involved in the
testing, evaluation, and development of a number of new NDE instruments and
techniques to provide better tools for bridge inspectors and other end-users of
NDE instruments. These innovative devices are being evaluated in both laboratory
and field tests and have the potential to provide greater amounts of information
on the condition of a structure more quickly and at a lower cost than is
presently available. NDEVC also provides technical assistance to State highway
agencies that request assistance on the application of NDE techniques and
instruments.
NDEVC staff expertise includes the use of lasers and optical equipment,
ultrasonics, radiography, infrared thermography, electromagnetic crack
detection, microwaves, ground-penetrating radar, wireless telemetry, bridge
instrumentation, and the reliability of NDE techniques and instrumentation for
bridge-load rating.
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